sullivan, to owem oman shortly after kerry's visit. >> there have been reports that intermittently and outside of the formal p-5 plus one mechanisms, the obama administration or members of it have conducted direct, secret, bilateral talks with iran. is that true or false? >> with regard to the kind of thing that you're talking about on a government-to-government level, no. >> reporter: many believe newland, now assistant secretary, was not among those who knew about the back channels, but secretary clinton did. >> we have from the very beginning made it clear to the iranians we are open to a bilateral discussion. so far there has not yet been any meeting of the minds on that. >> reporter: asked about what looks like a concerted effort to deceive the press and the public, the current spokesperson at state wouldn't confirm that jake sullivan met with them two years ago. >> is it the policy of the state department where the preservation of the secrecy of negotiations are concerned to lie in order to achieve that goal? >> james, i think there are times where diplomacy needs privacy in orde